The Australian Tattoo Expo hosts the ugliest tattoo competition at the International Convention Center in Sydney

Thousands of tattooed fans from around the world flocked to the 12th annual Australian Tattoo Expo, including a brave crowd who unveiled their worst creations.

The three-day festival takes place at Sydney’s International Convention Center in Darling Harbour, with events running from Friday to Sunday.

Saturday’s crowd was treated to the fan-favorite Ugliest Tattoo Competition, with contestants taking to the stage to show off their worst ink.

Several Simpsons characters appeared in the list of tattoo regrets.

The annual Australian Tattoo Expo drew a large crowd in Sydney on Saturday. Pictured is Nicole who won the highly anticipated ugliest tattoo contest

Nicole will now have her hideous phoenix bird tattoo (pictured) removed for free

Tattooed fire swirls on stage provided entertainment

Thousands of tattoo fans flocked to the three-day event at the International Convention Center

Several Simpsons characters appeared in the list of tattoo regrets

Other highlights included a giant unfinished koi fish, a beautiful rendition of the word “moo,” and a questionable sketch of a cat.

Contest prizes include tattoo removal coupons and prank trophies.

Nicole, 28, was declared the winner with her phoenix bird back tattoo, which she had the contest sponsor remove free of charge.

Luckily for those looking to cover up their past mistakes, more than 400 of Australia’s most popular tattoo artists gathered for this massive event to provide new ink.

A cheeky contestant fled the venue after he was allegedly arrested trying to enter the competition with fake tattoos.

For those not looking for new tattoos, the expo provided an opportunity to learn about different genres, trends and techniques.

At least one participant got her first tattoo at the event.

Several entertaining side shows including sword swallowers and fire dancers.

“With a focus on talent, the Australian Tattoo Expo invites the public to experience the tattoo industry up close and personal,” said the event organizers.

“There is no better place to be introduced to the niche and complex culture of tattooing and body art than at the Australian Tattoo Expo.”

Many participants were proud to show off their colorful ink designs

This contestant allegedly attempted to enter the ugliest tattoo contest using fake ink

More than 400 tattoo artists were able to demonstrate their talent at the annual event

A day pass for Expo set attendees was $45 – $30 for concession pass holders – but multi-day passes were available online

On Saturday, dozens of brave tattoo fans showed off their most regretted ink

Luckily for those looking to cover up their past mistakes, the show brought together more than 400 of Australia’s most popular tattoo artists to provide new ink

Other competition highlights included a beautiful rendition of the word “moo” and a questionable sketch of a cat

The show also marks the start of the Competitive Tattooing Association Australia’s Tattoo Series competition, which will feature prizes worth US$60,000. Shown are more regrettable tattoos

Other key events included a live chat with famed Hollywood tattoo artist Ami James and Sydney’s own Kian Forreal from Authentic Ink.

Ami, who is Jewish and served in the Israeli military, was cast on one of the TLC network’s first reality shows, Miami Ink.

On the show, he starred alongside controversial beauty influencer Kat Von D.

It was alleged at the time that Kat had made anti-Semitic remarks about Ami, but she firmly denies the allegations.

When asked about the comments by Daily Mail Australia on Saturday, Ami said: “A lot of people make (make anti-Semitic comments), just leave it at that.”

The event also attracted tattoo artists who were hard at work on Saturday

Prizes for Saturday’s ugliest tattoo contest included tattoo removal coupons

Expo-goers on Saturday were treated to the fan-favorite Ugliest Tattoo Competition, in which brave contestants take to the stage to show off their worst ink

Other main events at the show include a live chat with famed Hollywood tattoo artist Ami James and Sydney’s own Kian Forreal from Authentic Ink

Another highlight of Saturday’s Ugliest Tattoo Competition was a giant unfinished koi fish

A day pass for those attending the event was $45, but multi-day passes were available online.

The show also marks the launch of the Competitive Tattooing Association Australia’s tattoo series competition.

The competition sees Australia’s best tattoo artists compete for their share of $60,000 in prize money.

The competition runs over seven rounds as the expo makes its way through the country’s capitals, ending in Melbourne on December 3rd.

Winners will be announced for three different categories – a solo artist will take home $30,000, a collaborative series can win $20,000 and $10,000 to choose from.

At Australia’s twelfth annual Tattoo Expo, dozens of brave tattoo lovers showed off their worst ink for the ugliest tattoo contest

Prizes for the ugliest tattoo contest included tattoo removal coupons and prank trophies

The expo featured several entertaining side shows, including performances by sword swallowers and fire dancers

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk